Judges in Austria have received the green light from the European Court of Justice to factor Malta’s well-known protective measures into decisions to freeze bank accounts held by online gambling companies throughout the EU. This comes as a significant setback to Malta’s approach, which has long used domestic laws to shield its gaming sector from cross-border litigation.
Mr Green Dispute Illustrates New Legal Risk
This development originated in a 2021 legal disagreement involving Mr Green, a prominent Malta-regulated gambling firm. After an Austrian court mandated Mr Green to reimburse an Austrian player for gambling losses, the company failed to comply. The player then initiated a European Account Preservation Order, pursuing the company’s assets in Sweden, Ireland, and Luxembourg. As courts debated how to handle such cross-border debts, Malta’s longstanding legal barriers were put to the test.
Malta’s Protective Framework Challenged
Malta has leaned heavily on a legal provision commonly called Bill 55 or Article 56A, preventing local courts from letting foreign rulings disrupt its igaming enterprises. This legal tool has been fundamental in defending an industry central to Malta’s economy. However, the European court now allows other EU member state courts to use Malta’s policies as justification for freezing operator assets, weakening the previous shield.
https://www.casinoguardian.co.uk/2026/05/22/eu-court-decision-weakens-maltas-casino-asset-shield-across-europe/